Dallas-based Vandoliers formed in 2015, knotting together punk attitude and country swagger through trumpet, banjo, fiddle and more. Led by frontperson Jenni Rose (formerly Joshua Fleming), the band has carved out a wild niche—touring with Flogging Molly, Old 97s, Turnpike Troubadours, even Reverend Horton Heat. Their sound? Think barn‑dance brawl meets honky‑tonk hangover.
Too Punk? Too Loud? Well, Y’all Wanted a Party!
Their cheeky new video for “You Can’t Party With the Lights On” lampoons the Nashville exec: “Too punk! Too much! Too loud!” The fix? A hoedown blowout at Dee’s Cocktail Lounge—complete with Joshua Ray Walker and Taylor Hunnicutt belting alongside Jenni in a cheeky poke at the country‑music machine. Under the rowdy surface, it’s a “cry at the bar while everybody’s dancing” kind of anthemic heartbreak song—classic Vandoliers.
Life Behind Bars: 5th Album, First with Ted Hutt
Dropping June 27, Life Behind Bars is the Vandoliers’ fifth studio album—this time under Break Maiden Records/Thirty Tigers, produced by Grammy-winner Ted Hutt. Recorded at the sprawling Sonic Ranch in West Texas, it’s also their most intensely personal record yet.
From Masks to Marquee: Jenni Rose’s Journey
Jenni Rose’s story unravels in stark candor: overcoming addiction, battling gender dysphoria, and ultimately coming out as a trans woman. A pivotal moment? In 2023, the band performed in dresses in Tennessee, protesting the state’s drag ban. It went viral—MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow picked it up—and in her journal, Jenni wrote: “Fuck, I think I’m trans.” That moment shattered her wall of secrecy.
From writing deeply personal songs that Ted Hutt helped distill from 40 demos, Jenni embraced vulnerability. Tracks like “Dead Canary,” “Bible Belt,” and “Thoughts and Prayers” pack confessional punches while still rattling a dance floor.
Why “You Can’t Party…” Hits Differently
Jenni explains: “It might sound like a honky‑tonk singalong—and it is—but underneath, this song is about the lie of escapism. You can’t party as hard as I was and still be self‑aware.” With Joshua Ray Walker, Taylor Hunnicutt, and Zach Moulton on pedal steel, the track wraps polished shine around a raw message.
While still steeped in cowpunk energy, Life Behind Bars leans more mature and introspective. Yet it doesn’t skimp on barn‑burners: tracks like “Jim’s Barn,” “Valencia,” and the intense title track deliver big hooks and bigger emotional impact.
Touring: From Summer Heat to UK Streets
They’re hitting the road now—rolling through Chicago, L.A., NYC, Seattle, and more, then crossing the pond this fall with Skinny Lister. And this summer is historic: it’s Jenni’s first tour out as a trans woman. In Salt Lake City (June 25), she reflected: “So far I’ve been met with nothing but acceptance and love.”
Why This Album Matters
- Authenticity over polish: Vulnerability and punk dance it out in equal measure.
- Bold representation: A trans woman fronting a cowpunk band in Texas—politics and rebellion intertwined.
- Still a blast: Sad songs? Sure. But they’ll still get you stomping your boots by the end of the night.
Vandoliers are crafting their most freeing, confident‑sounding album yet, according to BrooklynVegan—and that’s not hyperbole. You Can’t Party With the Lights On is just one glimmer from a record packed with grit, grief, and grit again.
So crank it up, raise a glass, and remember: you can’t hide from yourself behind the party lights.
Album out June 27 on Break Maiden / Thirty Tigers
